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Medal to commemorate the centenary of Stokes and Sons mint. Reverse designed by Andor Meszaros and minted by Stokes and Sons, Victoria, Australia in 1956.

The private mint Stokes began in 1857 when Thomas Stokes purchased a press that had been sent to Melbourne at the beginning of the Victorian gold rush. The firm went produced many of Victoria's commemorative medals, including this one celebrating its own centenary in 1956. Noted medallist Andor Meszaros designed the reverse, which features a man at a lathe, while in the background are scenes of industry, transport, agriculture and domestic life.The firm still operates from the Melbourne suburb of Mitcham.

Description:

medal issued to commemorate one hundred years of Stokes opperation. Obverse featuring Across centre of medal a view of the Stokes factory in Brunswick; above, STOKES & SONS PTY LTD / 100 YEARS / PROGRESSbelow, MELBOURNE / AUSTRALIA / 1956the makers name below the image on right, STOKES MELB.Reverse (damaged as usual by glue used in felt of plastic container of issue) featuring Man with back to viewer operating lathe, above lathe, INDUSTRY IS LIFEbelow lathe at right the artist's name and logo MESZAROS; between legs the mint name, STOKES MELB.Above lathe images of different forms of industry, catering, forrestry, factory and transport (shipping and flight)

Statement Of Significance:

For over half a century, sculptors Andor (1900-1973) and Michael (1945- ) Meszaros have created medals that reflect the high points of life in Australia. From major awards and portraits of eminent Australians to artwork celebrating popular culture and the natural world, these objects illuminate our culture and history. Grounded in a centuries-old European art tradition, the medals create connections across disciplines and link such diverse subjects as scientific advances, religious themes, sport, the performing arts and motherhood. Through their public and private commissions and their personal artworks, the Meszaros sculptors have defined the modern Australian medal.

Man with back to viewer operating lathe, above lathe, INDUSTRY IS LIFEbelow lathe at right the artist's name and logo MESZAROS; between legs the mint name, STOKES MELB.Above lathe images of different forms of industry, catering, forrestry, factory and transport (shipping and flight)

Man with back to viewer operating lathe, above lathe, INDUSTRY IS LIFEbelow lathe at right the artist's name and logo MESZAROS; between legs the mint name, STOKES MELB.Above lathe images of different forms of industry, catering, forrestry, factory and transport (shipping and flight)

Shape:

round

Material:

Bronze

Issued By:

Stokes & Sons, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1956

Mint:

Stokes & Sons

Artist:

Andor Mészáros

References:

Car.1956/9

Bibliography:

[Catalogue] Sharples, John P. 1990. Medals as Art: Australia and the Meszaros Tradition.

Comments

Jarrod IngramPosted on 01 May 2010 2:57 PM

Hi i have a Stokes & Sons Lapel Pin
It has on the front the letters B H S from left then up and back down to the right. They are in brass with a blue background. It has a small white cross up the top and a small crown at the bottom, On the back it has Adoro Te Devote written in a circle, with Stokes & Sons written small at the bottom. It is 26mm long, 18.5mm wide. If you know what it is i would be most gratefull. Jarrod Ingram.

Discovery CentrePosted on 07 May 2010 10:50 AM

Hi there Jarrod - The letters BHS can be used for a variety of organisations or entities or ideas but a likely one here is “Baptism in the Holy Spirit” and this seems to be in accord with the words “Adoro Te Devote” which are the first words of an important hymn attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas. The translation appears to be “I devoutly adore you”. Perhaps the pin or medal is meant as a commemoration of baptism or a similar church event. The cross and crown may be relevant symbols for this purpose. For further information see this website: http://www.ccr.org.uk/archive/gn0711/go4.htm

Michael MeszarosPosted on 08 Jun 2013 5:35 PM

I wanted to clarify the fact that my father only designed the side of the Stokes medal with the man and the lathe.The other side was designed in house by Stokes.I felt that this is not entirely clear in the web page.

Christine RobeyPosted on 07 Sep 2013 12:56 PM

I have a Stokes 100yr Progress 1956 medal but it has an engraving of Thomas Stokes instead of a man with a lathe. Can anyone tell me about the medal please?

Peter SmithPosted on 24 Jan 2014 2:26 PM

I have the same 100 year Stokes commemorative medallion as posted by Christine Robey, with a picture & inscription of founder Thomas Stokes (in lieu of a man & lathe)

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